Interrupted stripe painting machine



D. H. CLARK INTEBRUPT ED STRIPE PAINTING MACHINE Sept. 12', 1944.

I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 24, 1942 a m E .v fil manui 2 1 Sept. 12, 1944. D. H. CLARK INTERRUPTED STRIPE PAINTING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed July 24, 1942 HTTYS Sept. 1944. D. H. CLAI RK 2,357,930

' INTERRUPTED STRIPE PAINTING MACHINE v Filed July 24, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR .1302; JQCZarla BY M Sept. 12, 19440 CLARK "2,357,930

INTERRUPTED STRIPE PAINTING MACHINE T Filed July" 24, 1942 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN\ IENLI"OR Dan ffi-Clark/ nrrrs Patented Sepia- 12, 1944 w orrice INTERRUPTED s'mrra PAINTING momma Donald H. Clark, Sacramento, Calif. Application my 24, 1942, seria No. 452,162

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for applying a paint stripe to a highway, and particularly to one for applying paint in the form of an interrupted rather than a continuous stripe, and which results in a considerable saving of paint.

The principal object ofv my invention is to provide a mechanism for the purpose by means or penser functioning automatically with the ad-- vance of the machine.

A further object of this invention is to arrange and control the operation of the bead dispenser so that such operation will be automatically halted while passing over the unpainted spaces or interruptions between the stripe sections, but

' will be resumed as soon as thestripe painting is resumed. Here again a considerable saving in beads and a resultant saving in expense effected.

It is necessary at intervals to apply paint over an old striping, and another object of the invention is to provide control means for the paintgun actuating mechanism so arranged that the new stripe may be accurately superimposed over the old one without any overlap at either end.

The machine is mounted on pneumatic-tired wheels, the rotation of which controls the functioning of the paint control mechanism, which is designed to give a predetermined paint-stripe length and spacing with wheels of a predetermined operating diameter; If the effective wheel radius or diameter varies, due to variation in tire inflation or weight of the operator on the machine, the operation of the paint control mechanism will thus likewise vary. It is therefore another object of the invention to arrange the paint control mechanism so as to enable the functioning of the same to be compensated for any such variation in wheel diameter, so as to enable the paint stripe sections to be maintained at such predetermined length and spacing.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a perusal of the following specification.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a stripe painting The machine machine as in operation, the conduits leading to the paint spray gun and bead dispenser cylinder being shown somewhat diagrammatic, and only those conduits which are essential to an understanding of the invention being shown.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged sideelevation showing the driving and control mechanism for the air supply control valve.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the machine showing the mechanism depicted in Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary top plan showing the mounting of the bead dispenser and its associated air lift cylinder and bralge.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary side elevation showing the bead dispenser, air lift cylinder, and brake unit.

Figure 6 is a front view of the control valve unit, with the cover plate removed and with the valve rotor in the position occupied when at the I outset of a painting operation.

Figure 7 is a sectional plan of the valve substantially on the line 1-4 of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a view similar to Fig- 6, but showing the valve rotor as positioned at the start of an air-exhausting movement from the paint guns, or when the painting operation is halted;

Figure 9 is a sectional planof the valve substantially on theline 99 of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary front view of the cover plate of the valve partly in section. Referring-now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the machine comprises a horizontal frame structure I supported at its rear end by a pair of pneumatic-tired wheels 2 and at the front end bya pair of steam able wheels 3. Steering of the latter is controlled from a steering wheel mounted on the frame convenient to the operators seat .5, also mounted on the frame adjacent its rear end. is not self-propelled, but; is adapted to be pushed ahead bya vehicle 317-: tached to .a rear end clevisB on the machine,

such vehicle, as usuaL; having a paint supply.

and air compressing unit thereon. I

A number of paint spray guns I are supported in, fixed connection with the rear end of an arm unit 8 which extends forwardly to pivotal connection with the frame I, as at 9; so that the guns may giv e vertically and also be lifted clear of the road; such lifting being effected by any suitable means, such as a lever and link mechanism, indicated at l0;

' ing from the adjacent portion of frame l.

the stripe painting is begun. The bypass passage 52 in the disc (10, and which controls the release of air from the cylinder ii, are therefore set back the proper distance iromthe slots $8 in the outer disc 39 and which control the flow of air to the paint gun. This distance may be accurately controlled or adjusted by turning the valve disc 48 relative to the disc 39 upon suit-- able manipulation of the driving set screw 56 which connects the discs. (See Fig. 6.)

In order that the valve as a wholemay be prop erly, set at the outset of a painting operation, a gauge finger 51 i mounted on the arm 22 and is adapted to read against one at a time of a pair of opposed pins 58 on the adjacent sprocket wheel tin of the chain drive 52 (see Fig. '3). At the outset of an operation, the wheel 2i is turned by hand, if necessary, to dispose-the pointer in register with either pin, and when in this posi-= tion the valve is about in position to initially admit air to the paint gun cylinder to start the flow of paint.

This arrangement makes possible the accurate synchronization of the valve with the point of beginning of the painted portion of a stripe, when a restriping job is being done.

When the bead dispenser is raised, it is desirable that the timing of the bead dispensing,

which is controlled by rotation of the wheels it, shall not be disturbed. I thereioreprovide a flat brake strip 66 above one wheel id in position to be engaged thereby when the dispenser is lifted (see Fig. 5). termediate its ends on a horizontal axis, on a vertical stem iii turnable in brackets 62 proiect- This stem is normally prevented from rotation by a releasable holding pin 53 between the stem and e. quadrant formed on the upper bracket 52 (see Fig. 4). A tension spring 6% between the free enchof the strip til and the stein resists upward movement of said strip. Rotation of the stem,

which causes the brake strip to swing also, is

This strip is pivoted ining means and functioning upon forward travel of the machine to place said actuating means in operation to cause the device and dispenser to ve. paint applying device and a, bead dispenser rearwardly of said device; means to control the operation of the device, means to control the operation of the dispenser and a mechanism mounted on the machine and functioning upon forward travel thereof and connected to the device and dispenser control means to control the functioning of saiddevice control means and dispensercontrol means in predetermined and successive order.

3. A structure as in claim 2, with means to render said mechanism inoperative atwill and in. respective of travel of the machine. v

. 4. In a road striping machine which includes a paint applying device and a head dispenser rearwardly of said device; means tocontrol the moerationof the devicef means to control the operation ofv the dispenser, a mechanism mounted on the machine and connected to the device and dispenser control means to actuate the same, and means operated by forward movement of the machine to actuate said mechanism to first cause the device to beplaced in operation, to then cause the dispenser to he placed in operation after the device has painted a stripe of a length approximately equal tothe horizontal spacing of the device from the dispenser, to subsequently and after a predetermined period to cause the operation necessitaated by-reason of the fact that the head dispenser is, asusual, arranged for lateral ed- Justment on the machine to one side or the other of a normal central plane, as the lateral position of the stripe being painted may require. a By the means above described the brake strip may be disposed directly abovethe wheel i l in operating relation thereto, regardless of the lateral position of the dispenser to one side or the other of its normal central plane. a

While this machine has been particularly de= signed to control highway stripe painting op erations, said mechanism may be used for other purposes for which it may b found suitable.

From the-foregoing description it will-be read ily seen that l have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the objects of the invention as set forth herein.

- While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such de=- tail may he resorted to a do not form a departure from the spirit of the'invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having "thus described my claim as new and useiuland desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

. ll. In a road striping machine which includes of the deviceto be discontinued and after a further advance of the machine a distance substantially equal to said spacing to cause the operation of the dispenser to be'discontinued.

5. In a material feeding machine adapted for movement along the ground and having a feeding device including means placing said device in operation by the ieeding of fluid under pressure thereto, a friction, drum, means to rotate the drum upon movement of the machine along the ground, awheel yieldable at its periphery engaging the drum, 2. support on whichthe wheel is mountain rotary control valve for the fluid supply of the device mounted on the support, means to drive thevalve by the wheel and means to adjust said wheel relative to the drum to alter invention, that r a paint applying device and abead dispenser rearwardlyof said device; separate control mechanisms for said device and dispenser mounted on the machine, actuating means for the control mechanisms, andimeans controlling said actuat the effective radius of the wheel.

6. In a material feeding machine adapted for movement along the groundand having a material feeding device including means placing the device in operation by the feeding of fluid under pressure thereto, a rotary element on the machine, means to rotate the element upon movement of the machine along the ground, another rotary element frictionally engaging the first named element, one of said elements being radially yieldable at its periphery, a rotary control valve for the fluid supply of the device, means to drive the valve by said other rotary element, and means operatively connected to one element to alter the straight line distanceetween the centers of the elements; 7 1

7. A structure asinclaim 5, with separate means to move the wheel clear of the drum-without aflecting the wheel adjustment means.

8; In a material feeding machine adapted for movement along the ground and having a material feeding device including means placing the device in operation by the feeding of fluid under v and pivot axes, a rotary pressure thereto, a friction drum, means to rotate the drum upon movementof the machine along the ground, a wheel yieldable at its periphery engaging the drum, an arm on which the wheel is mounted, means pivoting .the arm on the machine at a point such that the axis of the wheel is normally clear of a direct line between the drum tate the drum upon movement of the machine along the ground, a wheel yieldable at its periph- -eryens sin8'thedrum,anarmonwhichthe wheel is mounted, means pivoting the arm on the machine beyond the side of the wheel opposite the drum, a rotary control valve for the fluid supply of the feeding device mounted on the arm, means to drive the valve from the wheel, and means operatively connected to the arm to swing the same in a direction to disengage the wheel from the.

drum.

10. In a material feeding machine adapted for movement along'the ground and having a material feeding device including means placing the device in operation by the feeding of fluid under pressure thereto, a friction drum, means to rotote the along the ground, a wheel yieldable at' its periphery the drum, an arm on which the wheelismounted,meanspivotingthearmonthe machine at a point such that the axis of the wheel is normally clear of a direct line between the drum and pivot axes, a rotary control valve for the fluid supply of the feeding device mounted on the arm, means to drive the valve from the wheel, means to swing the arm through a limited are and including a rodconnectedtoandcontrol valve for the drum upon movement of the machine ass'mao substantiallyat'right angles to the arm and a block through which the rodis threaded and means supporting the block for movement be tween diflerent positions lengthwise of the rod.

11. A structure as in claim 10, in which said last named means comprises a lever pivoted at andextendingcrosswise of the rod, the block being mounted on the lever and means to hold the lever at either one of two 12.- In a material feeding machine adapted for movement along the ground and having a material feeding device including means placing the device in operation by the feeding of fluid under measure thereto; a-rotary element, means to rotate the rotary element upon movement of the machinealongthcgrolmdanotherrotaryelement frictionallyengaging the flrst named element, oneof said elements being radially yieldable at its periphery, a rotary control valve-for the fluid supply of the feedin device, means to drive the valve by the other rotary element, a rotary munber lined with the valve exteriorLv thereof, a marker element on saidmember and a 1iitxed pointer to read against the marker; the

ter \whenthepointerreads ngainstthemarker, the valve is approximately in position to open and supplyfluidtothedevice.

18. In a material feeding machine adapted for movement along the ground andhaving a feeding device including means placing said device in operation by thefeedim offluid under preslure thereto, a rotary element on the machine, means to rotate the element upon movement of themachine along the-ground; another rotary element frictionally en a ng the first named element. a rotary control valve for the fluid supply of the device, means to drive the valve by said other rotary element and means to alter the rate of rotation of the valve relative to that of the first named element.

DONALD H. CLARK.

being disposed relative to the valve so that 

